IP Library Granted Patent US 8,487,500
Granted Patent B2
US 8,487,500 · App. 12/010,272 · Granted Jul 16, 2013

Cooling arrangement of an electrical machine

Inventors: John James Anthony Cullen (Derby, GB); David James Powell (Sheffield, GB)
Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,487,500
App. No.
12/010,272
Granted
Jul 16, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A component of an electric machine 46 , the component comprising a core 10 ; two or more teeth 14 extending radially therefrom; at least one electromagnetic winding 12 , each winding 12 around at least one of the teeth 14 ; wherein the core 10 having a cooling arrangement including at least one cooling insert 48 located between adjacent windings 12 and whereby in use a cooling fluid being arranged to flow through the at least one cooling insert 48 to facilitate heat transfer and dissipation from the electromagnetic windings 12 . The cooling inserts providing improved cooling, structural support to the windings, and electrical insulation between the windings and the core.

Claims (58)

1. A component of an electric machine, the component comprising:

a core;

two or more teeth extending radially from the core;

at least one electromagnetic winding, each winding being arranged around at least one of the teeth; wherein

the core has a cooling arrangement comprising at least one cooling insert being bonded to the core and located between adjacent windings, the at least one cooling insert defining a cooling fluid flow duct, the at least one cooling insert including only a single material with high thermal conductivity and low electrical conductivity; and

a cooling fluid is arranged to flow through the at least one cooling insert to facilitate heat transfer and dissipation from the electromagnetic windings.

2. A component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one cooling insert is located between circumferentially adjacent windings.

3. A component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one cooling insert is located between radially adjacent windings.

4. A component of an electric machine, the component comprising:

a core;

two or more teeth extending radially from the core;

at least one electromagnetic winding, each winding being arranged around at least one of the teeth; wherein

the core has a cooling arrangement comprising at least one cooling insert located between circumferentially adjacent windings, the at least one cooling insert defining a cooling fluid flow duct, the at least one cooling insert including only a single material with high thermal conductivity and low electrical conductivity; and

a cooling fluid is arranged to flow through the at least one cooling insert to facilitate heat transfer and dissipation from the electromagnetic windings.

5. A component as claimed in claim 4 wherein there is an annular array of teeth.

6. A component as claimed in claim 4 wherein there is at least one annular array of cooling inserts.

7. A component as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one cooling insert comprises a ceramic.

8. A component as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one cooling insert is a casting.

9. A component as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one cooling insert comprises aluminium nitride.

10. A component as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one cooling insert comprises silicon carbide.

11. A component as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one cooling insert is generally tapering in cross section.

12. A component as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one cooling insert is bonded to the windings.

13. A component as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one cooling insert is hollow and the cooling fluid flow duct is arranged for a flow of cooling fluid.

14. A component as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one cooling insert is porous to allow a flow of cooling fluid therethrough.

15. A component as claimed in claim 4 wherein each of the teeth has a winding around it.

16. A component as claimed in claim 4 wherein at least two cooling inserts are in fluid communication with a cooling fluid inlet manifold to provide a constant flow of cooling fluid to the at least two cooling inserts.

17. A component as claimed in claim 4 wherein at least two cooling inserts are in fluid communication with a cooling fluid outlet manifold to facilitate heat dissipation from the at least two cooling inserts.

18. A component as claimed in claim 4 wherein a metering arrangement is provided upstream of the at least one cooling insert to optimise the flow rate of cooling fluid for a given running condition.

19. A component as claimed in claim 4 further comprising an air source that supplies the cooling fluid.

20. A component as claimed in claim 19 wherein the air source is a bypass duct or a compressor of a gas turbine engine.

21. A component as claimed in claim 4 wherein the component is a stator component of an electric machine.

22. A component as claimed in claim 4 wherein the component is a rotor component of an electric machine.

23. An electric machine comprising the component as claimed in claim 4 .

24. A component of an electric machine, the component comprising:

a core;

two or more teeth extending radially from the core;

at least one electromagnetic winding, each winding being arranged around at least one of the teeth; wherein

the core has a cooling arrangement comprising at least one cooling insert located between radially adjacent windings, the at least one cooling insert defining a cooling fluid flow duct, the at least one cooling insert including only a single material with high thermal conductivity and low electrical conductivity; and

a cooling fluid is arranged to flow through the at least one cooling insert to facilitate heat transfer and dissipation from the electromagnetic windings.

25. A component as claimed in claim 24 wherein there is an annular array of teeth.

26. A component as claimed in claim 24 wherein there is at least one annular array of cooling inserts.

27. A component as claimed in claim 24 wherein the at least one cooling insert comprises a ceramic.

28. A component as claimed in claim 24 wherein the at least one cooling insert is a casting.

29. A component as claimed in claim 24 wherein the at least one cooling insert comprises aluminium nitride.

30. A component as claimed in claim 24 wherein the at least one cooling insert comprises silicon carbide.

31. A component as claimed in claim 24 wherein the at least one cooling insert is generally tapering in cross section.

32. A component as claimed in claim 24 wherein the at least one cooling insert is bonded to the windings.

33. A component as claimed in claim 24 wherein the at least one cooling insert is hollow and the cooling fluid flow duct is arranged for a flow of cooling fluid.

34. A component as claimed in claim 24 wherein the at least one cooling insert is porous to allow a flow of cooling fluid therethrough.

35. A component as claimed in claim 24 wherein each of the teeth has a winding around it.

36. A component as claimed in claim 24 wherein at least two cooling inserts are in fluid communication with a cooling fluid inlet manifold to provide a constant flow of cooling fluid to the at least two cooling inserts.

37. A component as claimed in claim 24 wherein at least two cooling inserts are in fluid communication with a cooling fluid outlet manifold to facilitate heat dissipation from the at least two cooling inserts.

38. A component as claimed in claim 24 wherein a metering arrangement is provided upstream of the at least one cooling insert to optimise the flow rate of cooling fluid for a given running condition.

39. A component as claimed in claim 24 further comprising an air source that supplies the cooling fluid.

40. A component as claimed in claim 39 wherein the air source is a bypass duct or a compressor of a gas turbine engine.

41. A component as claimed in claim 24 wherein the component is a stator component of an electric machine.

42. A component as claimed in claim 24 wherein the component is a rotor component of an electric machine.

43. An electric machine comprising the component as claimed in claim 24 .

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 23, 2008
From: CULLEN, JOHN JAMES ANTHONY; POWELL, DAVID JAMES
To: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
Reel/Frame 020441/0727 →
Priority Claims (1)
GB 0702997.8 · Feb 16, 2007 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080197724A1 · Aug 21, 2008